Burial-vault



(No Model.)

C. W. SPENCER.

BURIAL VAULT.

No. 534,232. Patented Feb. 12, 1895.

Wmvfssfs. INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nrrn STATES P AfrENr Erica.

CHARLES IV. SPENCER, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

BURIAL-VAU LT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,232, dated February 12, 1 895. Application filed .Tune 26, 1893. Renewed Tuly 9,1894. Serial No. 517,021- (Ne model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. SPENCER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements in Burial- Vaults; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

My invention relates to improvements in burial vaults designed to protect and preserve the inclosed casket or coffin from the deteriorating edects resulting from direct contact with the earth which soon works destruction by rust or decay, where the casket or case is unprotected.

This vault consists of a sectional receptacle to be placed in the grave for the reception of the casket, and is composed of cement or other suitable material which does not yield to the decaying iniiuence of the surrounding earth. The sections of the case'are cast or molded with a metal webbing or screen located in the interior thereof, whereby the strength and general efficiency of the parts are greatly augmented.

The improvement consists further of the features, arrangements and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1. is a perspective view of the vault, the outer part of the cement being broken away to show the strengthening screen. Fig. 2. is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the vault. Fig. 3. is a vertical cross section of the same. Fig. 4. is a detail view showing the locking device in place.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts or elements in the several views, let the numeral 5 designate the rectangular sections forming the sides and ends of` this case; 6, the sections of the top, and 7, the bottom sections. These sections arejoined by providing their adjacent or contiguous edges with oppositely disposed shoulders, as shown at 8. The top and bottom of the vault are fitted to the side parts which are cut away to receive them, as shown at 9. Each section is provided with a strengthening web, lO, composed of a metal screen of suitable mesh which inthe construction of the sections is placed in the mold, while the cement or other composition in liquid form ispouredaround the same. These sections are left in the lmolds until the cement hardens, after which they are ready for use.

The top may be locked to the sides of the vault by the use of padlocks, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The'shackles of the locks are passed around the longitudinal edge-wires or rods of the metal web of the two parts, as shown in Fig. 4. v This feature prevents the possibility of obtaining access to the casket by persons evilly disposed or bent on mischief.

After digging the grave, the vault, except the top, is placed in position before the arrival of the casket to be inclosed. The burial case is then lowered into the receptacle and the top placed in position and locked therein. The cover sections are provided with handles, 6a, which are attached to the edge wires of the'metal webbing. These sections may be lowered to position by passing straps through these handles.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isn A sectional burial vault, the parts of which CHARLES W. SPENCER.

Witnesses:

G. J. ROLLANDET, CEAS. E. DAWSON. 

